11 June 2024 , 18:50
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Russia and its ally Belarus today began the second stage of tactical nuclear drills in a warning to the West.
The exercises were ordered by Vladimir Putin and come amid regular threats from Moscow - from top officials and slavish state TV - that battlefield nuclear weapons could be used in the conflict with Ukraine. "In accordance with the decision of the president of the Russian Federation, the second stage of the drills of the tactical nuclear forces has begun," said a statement from the defence ministry in Moscow.
"During the exercise, issues of joint training of units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will be worked out.” The supposed aim is to “unconditionally ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union State”.
Putin is said to have ordered the exercises between the two countries (MoD Russia/ East2west News)The Belarusian defence minister said: ”We are consistently strengthening our defence potential. “Our participation in the second stage of the training of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons confirms this. Today, we are acting proactively, raising our readiness for the use of so-called [nuclear] retaliatory weapons in a planned manner. Now, more than ever before, we are determined to respond to any threats posed both to our country and to [Russia].”
Belarus defence minister Lieutenant-General Viktor Khrenin spoke about threats against his country and Russia (VoenTV / East2west News)Footage shows hypersonic 7,680mph Kinzhal - or Dagger - missiles along with Iskander 5,300mph missiles as part of the drills. It also showed MiG-31K warplanes involved in the nuclear war games. Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin last month ordered his military to practise the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons after what Moscow said were threats from Britain, France and the United States to allow their missiles to be used by Ukraine against Russian territory.
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